OPEN SOURCE STATS

• Designation: YAGU
• Developer: Mexico
• Armament: Coaxial 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, or .50 cal machine on remote-controlled turret
• Crew: 3 - 4
• Weight: 1.48 tons
• Armor: B6 /NIJ IV/STANAG III
• Road Speed: 140 km/h (87 mi/h)
• Year(s) Introduced: 2018
• Users: El Salvador and Mexico

According to Info Defensa, Debate, and the Innovación y Defensa MX magazines the Yagu is a Mexican design assembled in the IBN Industrias Militares Aguascalientes factory.

The man behind the project is Arturo Ávila Anaya, who, with his introduction of the YAGU, is aiming to place Mexico in the international stage of the defense industry. He has so far promoted the YAGU with great success at the Eurosatory international weaponry industry expo in Paris, and the Expo Seguridad and FAMEX in Mexico City.

THE PERFECT VEHICLE FOR MOBILITY

The YAGU has a level 6 armor and is made from 100% ballistic polyethylene that undergoes a molecular modification process to become a highly resistant and functional plastic-like armor. This polymer armor keeps the YAGU highly light and protected. It can carry three crewmembers, although newer versions can carry four.

The YAGU also has extra added perks, like a vehicle-borne UAV, a machine gun mounted on a remote control turret, and all-around digital camera mount for enhanced situational awareness. The YAGU was designed to fight cartels’ asymmetric tactics, primarily the ones involved in off-road pipeline fuel theft, and for special forces conducting specialized missions. On the topic of huachicoleros (fuel thefts), they have created a new threat to national security as in the past they have blown pipelines and started shootouts in highways while avoiding capture.

Their oil thefts represent a massive loss in Mexico’s oil sales. The YAGU is the ideal unit to help fight this new threat, as its design is perfect for rocky and muddy terrain, dunes, uneven surfaces, extreme slopes, and forest environments. According to IBN the YAGU is also relatively affordable, making it a tentative vehicle for international markets in Latin America and the Middle East.

USERS

The YAGU is currently being advertised for the Mexican National Guard; yet its first user is El Salvador. In 2022 March 2022 Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez, the president of El Salvador, announced that its military acquired six units for rural patrolling operations.

In July 2022 the state goverment of Michoacan anounced the purchase of 10 units for its new Civil Guard police force.

END OF REPORT

Top Image Credit: Public domain

Middle Image: The Mexican War Factory